New Liverpool manager Arne Slot admits it was “difficult to ignore” working for one of the world’s biggest clubs after taking over the helm from Jurgen Klopp.
READ: Liverpool appoint Slot as manager after Klopp’s departure
The Premier League team said in a statement that, subject to obtaining a work permit, the Dutchman would take over as head coach on June 1st, just a day after Jurgen Klopp’s tearful departure at Anfield.
Although Slot’s contract duration was not disclosed by the club, it was widely rumoured in the British press that he had agreed to a three-year contract.
The new manager’s presence was kept a secret, with reports stating that Liverpool and Feyenoord had reached an agreement on compensation worth up to £9.4 million ($12 million).
The 45-year-old stated at his last pre-game press conference at the Eredivisie club on Friday that Anfield was his next stop.
“It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door behind you at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people,” he told Feyenoord’s website on Monday.
“But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore.”
The 56-year-old Klopp declared in January that the 2023–24 campaign would be his final one at Anfield. On Sunday, he oversaw his farewell match, a 2-0 victory against Wolves.
As he bid farewell to the audience, the German led the cheer “Arne Slot, na na na na na” and urged supporters to fully back his successor.
“You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me,” he said. “You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team.”
After making an impression in his first managing position at AZ Alkmaar, Slot—who was rumoured to be heading to Tottenham last year—became the manager of Feyenoord in 2021.
At the conclusion of his debut season, he guided the Dutch giants to their first-ever Europa Conference League final, where they were defeated 1-0 by Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
The previous season, Slot gave De Kuip just his second league title in twenty-four years before signing a new three-year contract.
Feyenoord has had a fantastic season, taking home the Dutch Cup and finishing second in the league behind PSV Eindhoven, who are unbeatable.
Feyenoord’s attacking style of football has thrilled the De Kuip crowd under Slot’s leadership, and Klopp has praised Slot.
“I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it,” Klopp said last month.
“It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job.”
Virgil van Dijk, a fellow Dutchman and captain of Liverpool, praised Slot’s adventurous style of play, stating it would fit in well at Anfield.
Van Dijk discussed the team’s future under the new manager, saying: “It is all about sticking together and giving him the chance of showing what he is capable of with the other guys who will come in.
“He probably knows already but everyone knows our expectations are always huge and it is about managing that in the right way and getting the maximum out of all of our players.”
After nine years as manager, Klopp brought Liverpool back to the pinnacle of English and European football. Slot will have big shoes to fill at Anfield.
Liverpool won a 19th league title, a sixth Champions League triumph, and a slew of other trophies under his direction.
At first, Xabi Alonso, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen and a former midfield player for Liverpool, was the front-runner to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
Alonso did, however, pledge to remain at Leverkusen while he guided the team to their first-ever Bundesliga championship.
In addition to winning the League Cup in Klopp’s final season, Liverpool qualified for the Champions League the following season by finishing third in the Premier League.
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